Thanksgiving: Myth vs. Fact - Anglophenia Ep 43

Thanksgiving is a beloved holiday for Americans, but how much do you really know about its origins? Anglophenia's Kate Arnell separates fact from fiction on the Pilgrims and more.

Photos from Getty Images and Fotolia.

[stephensmith]

In November, Americans celebrate the Brits coming, and in July they celebrate the Brits going. Confused nation.

[ChocolateFishBrains]

I've instantly fallen in love with the natural charm of this woman.

[NumberUp]

For reference - Harvest Festival is a common Autumnal tradition in Britain - as it is in many European cultures, and the main inspiration for the codified Thanksgiving of North America. However it is mostly observed in primary schools (up to age 11), churches, charities for the poor and hungry and rural areas where farming/harvest is still part of daily life - and is not viewed as a formal holiday, at least in the UK.

[MSIk]

How is this woman so gorgeous? Unearthly beauty!

[ShaunaCheungBoSaanWOGO]

I wish that both Kate and Shevon could host various episodes of this show. They each have qualities that are really entertaining. Kate is gorgeous, adorable, and very pleasant to listen to. Shevon is quirky and hilarious... everything she says and does makes me belly laugh!

[kattphive]

I think I would have liked if she's explained the differences between Canadian and Chinese thanksgivings to the American one

[AtheistOrphan]

As a Brit I knew very little about thanksgiving, so found this video very informative. Thank you.

[jennadouglass]

My mother's Apple Crumble is my favorite part of Thanksgiving!

[davideboos]

Technically, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the 4th Thursday in November. (It's possible to have 5 Thursdays in November.)

[midnightagenda]

Correction, Thanksgiving is always on the 4th Thursday of November.

[PCLHH]

They should make a film about Squanto's life.

[thatjerseyb]

i love how when people are exiled from england to 'Holland' that whatever they do from there on is still 'english' or 'british' history. gotta always keep their hand in the pot somehow and take credit for most things that have happened in the world lol

[Badzeep]

Just... say the Netherlands from the beginning. Not Holland. Holland are just 2 provinces. :<

[thomasgandalf]

thanksgiving is also celebrated in German countries ('Erntedankfest'), and probably in many other countries and cultures.

[mikecronis]

Kate's a brilliant speaker. Even though she's seemingly tired in this Ep., she still unerringly delivers as crisp as a late-September-morning apple-off-the-tree. John's a lucky man indeed! God save those that would make her mad, however!

[GeekmanCA]

Hi Kate!

Longtime watcher of Anglophenia, featuring your incredibly charming self! I have to say, your videos about British culture seem to be targeted primarily at Americans. That's all fine and good, but what about those of us in THE COMMONWEALTH?

As a Canadian, it's always interesting to see Americans and Brits banter about all the stuff they find odd about eachother. A fair bit of the time, I recognize aspects of both. We have plenty of things in common - Smarties! Politeness! The Queen! Pubs! A Westminster-stlye parliament! Scones! The letter "zed"! ZED!!!!

Why not do a few episodes about what THE EMPIRE has left behind, for better or worse, in their former colonies? Because there are still some things about Britain that we find more familiar than some of our *cough* more immediate neighbours...

Thanks!

[Saffron]

My husband is British and he had his first Thanksgiving while we were dating. Every person who did not have family was invited to someone's house for Thanksgiving, if you cant get there because you we sick or unable to walk, free ambulance service will pick you up and take you to where you need to go. My family had several people who are not family members come and they dined like kings and queens, my family are great cooks. They left with never to be seen tupperware containers full of everything you can think of.
Thanksgiving is a reminder to be thankful for what you have and to be kind and generous towards others.

[witchplease]

All I can think about is the Native Americans being murdered after all they did to help the Europeans. Smh.

[guitarman]

Actually, the first official Thanksgiving was held in Virginia, at Berkley Plantation (called Berkley Hundred at that time) on December 4, 1619, 2 years earlier than the Pilgrims.  It was Sarah Josepha Hale who led the campaign to have the Pilgrim's Thanksgiving named as the first.

[Glorious_Kim_Jong_Un]

*Not all of us are obsessed with taking credit for absolutely everything.*